Grounding switch for metal-clad high-voltage switching installations

ABSTRACT

A grounding switch for metal-clad high-voltage installations having a tubular capsule and a high-voltage conductor extending along the longitudinal axis of the capsule has a grounding conductor guided on the capsule so as to be movable toward the high-voltage conductor for contacting the latter. The grounding conductor has a curved portion corresponding to the curvature defined by a lateral section of the capsule and is guided on the capsule to permit swinging the curved portion about a rotation axis extending transverse to the longitudinal axis of the highvoltage conductor.

United States Patent Beer [4 1 Aug. 8, 1972 [54] GROUNDING SWITCH FOR METAL- CLAD HIGH-VOLTAGE SWITCHING INSTALLATIONS [72] Inventor: Heinz Beer, Berlin 27, Germany [73] Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft, Berlin,

Germany, Munich, Germany [22] Filed: June 9, 1971 [2]] App]. No.: 151,258

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data June 30, 1970 Germany ..P 20 33 854.9

[52] U.S. Cl ..200/48 R, 200/166 BH [51] Int. Cl. ..HOlh 31/00 [58] Field of Search ...200/148 B, 155, 48 R, 166 BH [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS.

3,553,397 1/1971 Birkenau ..200/48 R Primary ExaminerHerman J. Hohauser AttorneyCurt M. Avery, Arthur E. Wilfond, Herbert L. Lerner and Daniel J. Tick [57] ABSTRACT A grounding switch for metal-clad high-voltage installations having a tubular capsule and a high-voltage conductor extending along the longitudinal axis of the capsule has a grounding conductor guided on the capsule so as to be movable toward the high-voltage conductor for contacting the latter. The grounding conductor has a curved portion corresponding to the curvature defined by a lateral section of the capsule and is guided on the capsule to permit swinging the curved portion about a rotation axis extending transverse to the longitudinal axis of the high-voltage conductor.

6 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures GROUNDING SWITCH-I FOR METAL-CLAD HIGH- VOLTAGE SWITCHING INSTALLATIONS My invention relates to a grounding switch for metalelad high-voltage switching installations which is guided on the capsule of the installation and is movable high-voltage conductorit was usual to use a grounding switch having rod like grounding conductor which is guided in the capsule and is moved toward ground along its axis against the high-voltage conductor. However, such grounding switches require considerable space since the ground conductor, even if no live components are taken into account, must protrude beyond the periphery of the capsule when in the open position.

Accordingly, it is an object of my invention to provide a grounding switch that permits grounding the high-voltage conductor in the metal-clad high-voltage installation while requiring less space without appreciable demands as to mechanical structure.

According to the feature of the invention, the grounding conductor has a curved portion which is curved in accordance with the cross section of the capsule and which is tiltable about an axis extending transverse to the axis of the high-voltage conductor. In addition, outside of the capsule the grounding switch according to the invention requires only the space necessary for the drive for .actuating the switch. The drive need only move through a swinging movement and it is therefore sufficient that outside the capsule a'pin engaged by a crank be provided. The grounding conductor itself can be a solid metal rod made of good conducting material. The metal rod, for example, a round copper rod having a transverse cross-section correspondingto the anticipated grounding current must only be adapted to the contour of the capsule. For example, the grounding conductor with a capsule having a cylindrical section need only have a curve portion corresponding to a quarter of a circle and which is swingable about an axis perpendicular to the axis of the high-voltage conductor. Since this form with a large radius of curvature determined by the capsule dimensions for location KV and higher is easily produced by bending, the grounding switch according to the invention is a simple device notwithstanding the small space required for its accommodation.

It has been found preferable to provide the curved portion with a contact part extending in the direction of movement of the grounding conductor toward the high-voltage conductor. The contact part is located on the curved portion at the location whereat the latter contacts the high-voltage conductor. The contact part can, for example, grip into a recess of the high-voltage conductor. In addition, a corresponding counter-contact can be provided on the high-voltage conductor for the contact part of the grounding conductor, so that the high-voltage conductor does not have to be appreciably machined.

In an especially advantageous embodiment of the invention, the grounding conductor is guided in a cover which covers an opening of the capsule. This embodiment is especially easy to install and to maintain. Also, the cap can be adjusted as required so that the movement of the grounding conductor relative to the highvoltage conductor can be calibrated.

The curved part of the conductor, as mentioned, undergoes or carries out a swinging motion. The movements occuring therewith are the smallest at the region of the rotation axis. Therefore, it is advantageous to provide at this location a current band or similar good conducting connection leading to the capsule, so that the bearing connection of the grounding conductor in the capsule is fully unloaded from the current flow.

The invention will now be described with reference to the drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram, in section, of the capsule of a metal-clad high-voltage switching installation for KV equipped with a grounding switch according to the invention; and

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal view, partially in section, taken through the capsule of FIG. 1.

FIG. 1 illustrates a grounding switch according to the invention having a grounded'metal capsule 1 which, for example, can be made from sheet steel. The cross section of the tubular capsule is in the form of a cylinder. And along its longitudinal axis there extends the highvoltage conductor 2 which is dimensioned as a cylinder of solid copper. The invention is neither limited to a special form of the high-voltage conductor nor to a definite material.

A grounding switch for grounding the high-voltage conductor 2 is arranged in the capsule 1 and is designated as an entity by reference numeral 3. The switch 3 has a grounding conductor 4 which has region 5 curved in the form of a quarter circle. The conductor 4 with region 5 is tiltably joumaled with a pin 6 in the capsule .1. For this purpose, a support 8 is provided on the cylindrical capsule 1 which likewise has a cylindrical section and which extends into flange 9. A cover 11 is secured to flange 9 with screws 10. The cover 11 serves to guide the pin 6 in the bearing 12.

The pin 6 constitutes the tilting axle of the grounding conductor 4. As is evident from the drawing, the tilting axis extends perpendicular to the axis of the high-voltage conductor 2, namely, through the axis of the latter.

A copper tape 14 is secured to the pin 6 in the region of the rotating axis. The end of the copper tape 14 away from the conductor is joined with the grounded metal capsule 1 at a connection terminal 15. In this way, a good current conducting connection between the grounding conductor 4 and the metal capsule is guaranteed. The bearing 12 of the grounding conductor 4 does not have to carry any current.

FIG. 2 shows that the curved portion 5 of the grounding conductor 4 has a contact part 18 extending in the direction of the movement of the grounding conductor at the contact location 17 with the high-voltage conductor 2. When the grounding switch 3 is closed, this contact part grips into a recess 20 of the high-voltage requires only a very limited space. With the aid of cover 11 in which the grounding conductor 4 is journaled, the switch can be easily mounted and, if required, can be calibrated. The switch requires for its movement only a drive for a pin 6 which is capable of swinging the latter through approximately 90. The space required outside of the capsule for this purpose is small.

While the invention has been described by means of a specific example and in a specific embodiment, I do not wish to become limited thereto, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

2. Grounding switch according to claim 1, wherein said tubular capsule is cylindrical, said curved portion being dimensioned to correspond to a quarter-circle arc, said rotation axis being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said high-voltage conductor.

3. Grounding switch according to claim 1, comprising a contact part on said curved portion whereat the letter contacts said high-voltage conductor, said contact part extending in the direction of movement of said curved portion toward said high-voltage conductor.

4. Grounding switch according to claim 1, wherein said capsule has an opening in its tubular wall, said switch comprising a cover covering said opening, said grounding conductor being guided in said cover to permit swinging said curved portion about said rotation axis.

5. Grounding switch according to claim 1, comprising electrical conducting means for joining said capsule to said grounding conductor, said conducting means being connected to said grounding conductor at the region thereof where said grounding conductor is guided on said capsule.

6. Grounding switch according to claim 1, wherein said electrical conducting means is a current tape. 

1. Grounding switch for metal-clad high-voltage installations having a tubular capsule and a high-voltage conductor extending along the longitudinal axis of the capsule, said switch comprising a grounding conductor guided on said capsule so as to be movable toward the high-voltage conductor for contacting the latter, said grounding conductor having a curved portion corresponding to the curvature defined by a lateral section of said capsule, said grounding conductor being guided on said capsule to permit swinging said curved portion about a rotation axis extending transverse to the longitudinal axis of said highvoltage conductor.
 2. Grounding switch according to claim 1, wherein said tubular capsule is cylindrical, said curved portion being dimensioned to correspond to a quarter-circle arc, said rotation axis being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said high-voltage conductor.
 3. Grounding switch according to claim 1, comprising a contact part on said curved portion whereat the letter contacts said high-voltage conductor, said contact part extending in the direction of movement of said curved portion toward said high-voltage conductor.
 4. Grounding switch according to claim 1, wherein said capsule has an opening in its tubular wall, said switch comprising a cover covering said opening, said grounding conductor being guided in said cover to permit swinging said curved portion about said rotation axis.
 5. Grounding switch according to claim 1, comprising electrical conducting means for joining said capsule to said grounding conductor, said conducting means being connected to said grounding conductor at the region thereof where said grounding conductor is guided on said capsule.
 6. Grounding switch according to claim 1, wherein said electrical conducting means is a current tape. 